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Time it was
And what a time it was
It was . . .
A time of innocence
A time of confidences
— Paul Simon, Bookends

There are those defining moments in every person’s life.

The moments we cherish, like the birth of a child.

The moments we grieve, like the loss of a loved one.

And the moments that serve as our bookends.

For many of us, those moments are marked by the music we encountered and loved and drew into our hearts and our lives.

Music, for The Legal Genealogist, like the music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

It’s the music I grew up with. The music that spoke to me in so many ways.

Music to rejoice with in times of joy (“I got no deeds to do, No promises to keep, I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep, Let the morning time drop all its petals on me”).

Music to comfort in times of grief (“When you’re weary, feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all”).

Music to share (“I am a citizen of the planet”).

Music to plumb the depths of aloneness (“Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again”).

Music to tell the stories of the day (“He was my brother, Twenty-three years old the day he died”).

Music to express our fears (‘Now the sun has disappeared, All is darkness, anger, pain and fear’).

Music to express our hopes (“Last night I had the strangest dream, I ever dreamed before”).

But now Paul Simon has announced that his musical touring career is coming to an end.

Paul Simon

There’s just going to be one final tour, starting May 16 in Vancouver and ending June 20 in Nashville, followed by one last European tour and then, perhaps, an occasional appearance.

So, now, it’s time to speak to the maker of the music… and simply say… thank you.

Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water…
— Paul Simon, Bridge Over Troubled Water

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